The state Senate passed a bill Tuesday requiring a two-thirds supermajority in order to raise taxes.
The bill passed with a vote of 20-12, with State Sen. Julie Lassa, D-Stevens Point, as the only Democrat supporting it.
Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, slammed Democrats for not supporting the measure to prevent tax increases, calling the bill a ""last line of defense"" for businesses.
""It's always amazing to see how hard the Democrats will fight for their tax hikes,"" Fitzgerald said in a statement. ""The way they acted today, it was like a kid getting their favorite toy taken away.""
State Senate Minority Leader Mark Miller criticized Republicans for failing to pass measures that would actually create jobs.
""While failing to create any jobs, Republicans have touted the importance of the ‘message' their bills are sending,"" Miller said in a statement. ""But this legislation is a loophole-ridden gimmick that seems to send the message that Republicans believe the people of Wisconsin can be easily fooled.""
Gov. Scott Walker praised the legislation, which already passed through the Assembly in January, and is expected to sign it into law.
The Senate also passed legislation that will undo changes to auto insurance requirements made under the Democrat-controlled 2009-'11 legislative session, resulting in lowered minimum coverage.
State Sen. Mary Lazich, R-New Berlin, was pleased with the legislation, saying the former requirements could have priced insurance out of the reach of families suffering from the recession.
However, state Sen. Tim Carpenter, D-Milwaukee, said this bill is a setback for Wisconsin drivers.
""I have fought for mandatory auto insurance for over two decades, and I was proud to be able to get it passed into law last session,"" Carpenter said in a statement.
